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Tuesday, May 5, 1998

Commissioners reaffirm support of plan

By GREG HARMANStaff WriterReeves County Commissioners decided to retain the current
county-wide, or "unit" road system at a special meeting Mon-
day afternoon in the Reeves County Courthouse.

The meeting was held, according to Precinct 2 Commissioner
W.J. Bang, to "emphasize the merits" of the current road
system, which consolidates responsibility for roads in all
four precincts under the supervision of the county road
administrator.

First adopted in 1991 with a strong push by Bang, the "unit"
system replaced the earlier format in which each of the four
county commissioners was responsible for the roads in his or
her precinct.

Despite earlier opposition to the unit system, Precinct 1
Commissioner Felipe Arrendondo joined in the unanimous
decision to retain the county-wide system. The Commissioners
also voted to draft a new proclamation of support for the unit
system, to besigned at the next regularly-scheduled meeting.

A publicly-circulated petition to bring road system to county-
wide vote, has reportedly gathered over 300 signatures, though
according to Bang, a return to the former system would boost
the county's property tax rate by over 25 percent.

Bang said that in the last eight years the number of counties in
Texas using the unit system has tripled to close to 100. "It is in-
creasing its number because of its merits," he said.

Under the old system, Bang said, there were a lot of variations in
the cost and quality of the road work performed. "With the new
system," he said, "we are eliminating that inequity. We can serve
the county's needs with less cost and less equipment."

Bang suggested that Arrendondo may have switched from his earlier
opposition to the unit system when "he understood that we cannot go
back to the old system without raising taxes way over fifteen cents
per hundred dollars."

The county's tax rate is currently $56.9 cents per $100 valuation.

Another item on the agenda, which was tabled, was discussion of the
duties and responsibilities of Arrendondo, who is in charge of main-
taining the County Courthouse, Reeves County Annex and Civic Center.

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Reeves County Commissioners
will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 11.

Stamp's debut cause for celebration

By ROSIE FLORESStaff WriterFood, music and fun will be a part of this evening's special cele-
bration to introduce the new Cinco de Mayo commemorative stamp.

The Santa Rosa Food Bank and U.S. Postal Service will host the
ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Post
Office.

Mariachi Perla will perform during the event and the Catholic War
Veterans will present the colors.

"The new stamp will be unveiled at this time and we're really proud
of it," said Pecos Postmaster Tony Ramirez.

A 15-minute video, Tesoro Hispano, will be shown and Reeves County
Judge Jimmy B. Galindo will be on hand.

Refreshments will be served following the video and during this time,
Rachel Dominguez will tell the group about the food drive scheduled for
this Saturday.

"It's going to be real nice and I hope everyone decides to come out
and join us," said Ramirez.

The public is invited to this free event, according to Ramirez.

"We expect about 50-75 people and we're really excited about this
special celebration and the stamp," he said.

The new Hispanic Heritage stamp was designed by award-winning artist
Robert Rodriguez of Los Angeles, and features two dancers wearing
traditionally-styled costumes.

Postal workers also plan to promote this weekend's food drive during
today's ceremony. Local residents are asked to put non-perishable
items by their mailboxes on Saturday for be donation to the food bank.
The theme for the event is "Stamp Out Hunger.

"The post office carriers and Food Bank will collect not-perishable
food to help those in need in our community. Don't forget to leave
your items by your mailbox this Saturday, May 9," said Ramirez.

Barstow gets early start on Cinco de Mayo

By GREG HARMANStaff WriterThe tennis courts at the Barstow Community Center were converted
to fiesta central on Saturday, as hundreds gathered to celebrate
Cinco de Mayo two days early.

Folklorico dancers swung their skirts and stamped their shoes,
local youth competed in a talent show, Tai-Kwon Do demonstrations
were held, and gorditas and snow cones were enjoyed at the day-long
event.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the independence Mexico, although
originally it marked the date French troops were routed at the
Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

The French, while advancing on Mexico City, attempted to roll over the
city of Puebla situated on the steeps of the Cerro de Guadalupe. They
were repulsed only to return and retake the city the following March.

Puebla was finally freed from the French on April 2, 1867, ending the
imperialist occupation of Mexico.

Music for the Barstow celebration was provided by DJ Ricky
Barreno and Mariachi Perla. The event was sponsored by Our
Lady of Refuge Catholic Church.

OBITUARIES

Paula Sanchez

Services are incomplete for Paula O. Sanchez, 80, who died Tuesday, May
5 at her residence in Toyah.

Martinez Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Delfina Vasquez

Delfina Vasquez, 93, of Odessa, died Sunday, May 3, 1998, at her residence
in Odessa.

A rosary is scheduled for today at 7 p.m., at the Frank W. Wilson
Funeral Directors Chapel in Odessa. Services will be held at 10 a.m.,
Wednesday, May 6, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. David Herrera
officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

She was born Nov. 2, 1904, in Pueblito, Mexico, moved to Odessa in 1948
from Pyote, was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Secundino Vasquez and one
daughter, Inez Molinar.

Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors of Odessa is in charge of arrangements.

WEATHER

High Monday 98. Low this morning 61. Forecast for tonight: Clear tonight
and sunny on Wednesday, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
over the northern and eastern portions of the Texas Panhandle through
Wednesday. Lows tonight will be in the 40s in the mountains and in the 50s
and 60s elsewhere in West Texas. Highs Wednesday range from the 70s in the
Panhandle to near 104 in the Big Bend area.